Extensions of enforcement officers to deal with violations

Fred Mifflin, Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and Dr. Rex Gibbons, Newfoundland's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that their governments have mutually extended the authority of each others enforcement officers to deal with violations of provincial and federal regulations on fishing inland salmon.

Federal fishery officers and guardians have been designated as Newfoundland wildlife officers and Newfoundland wildlife officers have been designated as federal fishery officers. "I am very pleased that we have reached this agreement," Mr. Mifflin said. "It is good news for everyone concerned with fisheries conservation and with making good use of taxpayers' dollars."

"I welcome this cooperation between our two levels of government," Dr. Gibbons said. "It will greatly strengthen our ability to enforce fishing regulations." Until now, the enforcement powers granted to federal enforcement officers under the Newfoundland Wildlife Act were limited to demanding that licences be presented for inspection. They had no power to seize untagged salmon and fishing equipment. Provincial wildlife officers had DFO guardian status with regard to offenses under the Federal Fisheries Act, but lacked the fishery officer's power of search.

DFO will be responsible for all costs of prosecution of offenses under the Fishery Act, and Newfoundland will be responsible for costs of prosecution under the Wildlife Act.

Contact: Minister's Office, Fisheries and Oceans, (613) 992-3474; or Anna Buffinga, Department of Natural Resources, (709) 729-3750.